Benue Congress: North Central FA Chairmen Back Gusau for 2nd Term

Benue Congress: North Central FA Chairmen Back Gusau for 2nd Term

By BSN Sports 

Chairmen of Football Associations (FAs) across Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone have endorsed the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON, for a second term in office and pledged to jointly purchase his nomination form ahead of the federation's forthcoming presidential election, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The endorsement was announced during the Annual General Meeting of the Benue State Football Association in Makurdi, where football stakeholders reviewed the association's activities and deliberated on the development of the game in Benue State and across the country.

The FA chairmen, who attended the meeting alongside the NFF President in support of the Chairman of the Benue State Football Association, Chief Dr. Paul Edeh, commended Gusau's leadership before unanimously endorsing his re-election bid.

Among those present were the NFF Board Member representing the North Central, Rt. Hon. Chief Margaret Icheen; Chairman of the Kwara State Football Association, Alhaji Idris Abdullahi Musa; Chairman of the Nasarawa State Football Association, Alhaji Usman Salisu Galadima; Chairman of the Plateau State Football Association, Rt. Hon. Suleiman Yahaya Kwande; and the NFF President. The Chairman of the Kogi State Football Association, Alhaji Hassan Wada, participated virtually.

In separate remarks, the chairmen described Gusau as an accessible and consultative leader, citing his administration's emphasis on grassroots football development through coaching clinics, capacity-building programmes and administrative training for football stakeholders.

They also praised the ongoing FIFA Forward infrastructure project at Package B of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, which includes a players' hostel and modern training pitches. According to the chairmen, the project will enhance technical development, coaching education and player preparation when completed.

The stakeholders further commended the NFF under Gusau for strengthening its relationship with FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), promoting transparency in football administration and expanding support for youth and women's football. They referenced the recent performances of the Super Falcons, Falconets and Flamingos as evidence of progress in the women's game.

Concluding that the current administration had laid a solid foundation for the continued growth of Nigerian football, the North Central FA chairmen passed a vote of confidence on Gusau and formally endorsed him for a second term. They also announced their decision to collectively purchase his nomination form, a gesture that drew applause from delegates at the meeting.

Supporting the endorsement, NFF Board Member Rt. Hon. Chief Margaret Icheen said the decision reflected the collective position of football stakeholders across the North Central zone. She noted that her experience on the federation's board had given her firsthand insight into the discipline, stability and reforms introduced under Gusau's leadership, adding that the administration deserved the opportunity to consolidate on its achievements.

Responding on behalf of the NFF President, Chairman of the Sokoto State Football Association, Alhaji Mohammed Nasir Saidu, accepted the endorsement and the offer to purchase Gusau's nomination form.

Speaking for the North West zone, where Gusau hails from, Saidu said the endorsement reinforced the vote of confidence passed on the NFF President during the federation's last Annual General Meeting in Bayelsa State. He added that the support demonstrated growing confidence among football stakeholders in the progress recorded by the current administration.

Earlier, members of the Benue State Football Association Congress had also endorsed Gusau for a second term, citing his commitment to football development in the state and across Nigeria.

The Congress noted that Benue was the first state Gusau visited on official assignment after assuming office in 2022 and observed that he has returned to the state on four subsequent official visits. Members described his latest visit as further evidence of his commitment to football development in the state.

In his response, Gusau expressed appreciation to the Benue State FA Congress and the North Central FA chairmen for the confidence reposed in him, describing the endorsement as humbling.

He attributed the achievements of his administration to the collective efforts of the NFF Congress, state football associations, clubs, players, coaches, referees and government, and pledged to build on existing reforms if re-elected.

According to him, a second term would focus on expanding grassroots football, completing ongoing infrastructure projects, strengthening domestic competitions, increasing investment in youth and women's football and deepening transparency in football administration.

"We have laid a solid foundation, but there is still much work ahead. If entrusted with another mandate, we will consolidate on these achievements and continue to build a football system that every Nigerian will be proud of. Your confidence will not be misplaced," Gusau said.

Also speaking during the meeting, Kogi State FA Chairman Alhaji Hassan Wada, who joined virtually, aligned himself with the resolutions reached by his North Central counterparts and reaffirmed the zone's support for the NFF President.

The meeting concluded with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to unity and the continued development of football in Benue State and across Nigeria.This version adopts a professional news style by tightening the language, removing repetition, improving flow, and maintaining attribution for opinions and endorsements while preserving the factual content of the original release.